Gang sets fire to newspaper office in Mexico

Gang sets fire to newspaper office in Mexico

Firefighters and employees of the 'El Buen Tono' newspaper stand outside its headquerters in Cordoba, in Mexico's eastern Veracruz state, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/STR)

VERACRUZ, Mexico (AP) -- More than a dozen people barged into the offices of a newspaper in central Mexico on Sunday, dousing it with gasoline and setting it aflame.

Veracruz state Deputy Attorney General Enoch Maldonado said no injuries have been reported following the attack on the newspaper El Buen Tono in Cordoba, about 125 miles (210 kilometers) east of Mexico City. About 20 employees were inside the building at the time.

The newspaper, which began publishing a month ago, has sharply criticized some local authorities, but the motive for the attack is unclear and the state Attorney General's Office announced it was investigating the incident.

Veracruz state has seen an upsurge in violence recently as gangs battle over smuggling routes and extortion revenues.

The newspaper's telephone numbers rang busy Sunday and its website made no mention of the attack. READ MORE

Posted in: CRIME,RIOTS,WORLD